In partnership with Jersey Water, the National Trust for Jersey is delighted to announce the launch of its eighth pledge as part of the Green House Project. For the month of August the Trust has promised to install water saving devices, such as aerated shower heads and taps, dual flushing systems and water butts in all their tenanted properties.
The Trust has also installed rainwater harvesting systems at two of their properties, Brook Farm and Sous Les Bois. They have utilised the redundant slurry tanks for the main water storage area, water from which is then used for the flushing of toilets and washing machines. New sanitary ware with aerated taps and shower heads has also been fitted in the two properties.
Speaking on behalf of Jersey Water, Howard Snowden commented:
“We are delighted be supporting the National Trust in the 8th Pledge of its Anniversary year – by encouraging people to reuse rainwater in the garden.”
“By catching rain which falls on house, garage, shed or greenhouse roofs – through using water butts or rainwater harvesting – and using it in the garden, to clean cars or wash windows; people are contributing both towards saving water and to alleviating the pressure on the mains water network at times of heavy demand, particularly in the summer.”
Celia Jeune, President of the National Trust added:
As Islanders we must all be aware that the precious life-giving element WATER is a finite commodity. This Spring we can remember lawns turning yellow and stunted young plants unable to grow because of the lack of water. The Jersey Royal potato crop was underweight due to drought but if you have a garden you can harvest the rain water with a well placed butt and give your vegetables and flowers that regular drink to keep them going. Rainwater is the best fertiliser and is FREE! Rainwater is supposed to be superior for hair washing results and is certainly good for getting an extra sparkle on the car.
At the National Trust for Jersey, with the kind sponsorship of Jersey Water, we are providing water harvesting butts at all our properties! (So can you.)
Facts and Figures For Saving Water whilst caring for your garden :
- The best time to water your garden is early morning or in the evening when the weather is cooler. Avoid watering in the midday sun, or when it’s windy, as a lot of the water will evaporate.
- Outdoor water accounts for around 7% of the total water use, but in the summer this can rise to over 50% of the peak demand for mains water in the Island.
- To stop water dripping away from a hanging basket, cut the bottom off an empty plastic bottle. Leaving the cap on, make a few small holes in the sides of the bottle and place it in the basket upside down. Simply fill this bottle every time you water. It will spread water more evenly and you won’t spill water all over the floor.
- A watering can is better than a hosepipe for watering your plants, especially one fitted with a ‘rose’ head. It creates smaller droplets, like raindrops, which sink into the ground better.
- Hosepipes can damage fragile vegetation and wash away the soil. Aim the water at the roots not the leaves, otherwise the water runs off and evaporates.
- A sprinkler can use as much water in an hour as a family of four will use in a day.
- Installing a water butt can be one of the easiest ways to save water – plus rainwater is better for plants as it is softer!
- Reuse dish water on outside plants and water indoor plants with the remains of unwanted glasses of water.
- To go a step further, rain harvesting systems for washing machines and flushing toilets can replace up to 50% of a household’s mains water consumption.
For more information please visit www.jerseywater.je sponsors of the National Trust for Jersey. Or visit www.nationaltrustjersey.je
Please note that The Green House Project is being run in association with ECO-ACTIVE – for additional information on further initiatives please go to: www.gov.je